COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to make the winter season warmer for children in need, the Keeping Kids Warm® program is donating new winter coats to 4 schools in Columbus. The Keeping Kids Warm program is supported by Lane Bryantand Catherines women's retail apparel brands.

ColumbusCoat Distributions will take place next week at Fairwood Elementary School on November 27th, East Linden Elementary School onNovember 28th, Oakmont Elementary School onNovember 29th, and Cassady Elementary School onNovember 30th. All events begin at 9:30 a.m.

For each school, Company employees volunteer to organize coat distributions, order and pack coats, and present them in person to children in their communities. Each child at the recipient schools receives a brand new, warm winter coat!

"The Keeping Kids Warm program is a key part of our ongoing effort to be good corporate citizens in the communities where we live and work. A special thanks to our customers and key vendor partners whose generosity has been an important enabler to our ability to successfully execute the program. Our warm wishes to all for a healthy and joyful holiday season," said Charming Shoppes' President Anthony M. Romano.

This is the Keeping Kids Warm program's 17th year of giving. To date, the Company and its brands have donated nearly 200,000 winter coats to elementary students all over America in such cities as Minneapolis, Cleveland, Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Syracuse, Newark and many others. This fall, Keeping Kids Warm will visit schools and non-profit partners to present nearly 10,000 coats to children in need.